Union is proud to support its students and our amazing robotics teams.  All of the teams participate in one of the FIRST robotics programs. 

High School

The varsity Sport for the MindTM, FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.  It’s as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

Students get to:

• Learn from professional engineers
•  Build and compete with a robot of their own design
•  Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware
•  Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
•  Earn a place in the World Championship
•  Qualify for over $19 million in college scholarships

8th-12th Grade - The Bazinga Project and Project Agnizab

FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.

Students get to:

•   Design, build, and program robots
•   Apply real-world math and science concepts
•   Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills
•   Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
•   Compete for a spot in the World Championship
•   Qualify for over $13.5 million in college scholarships

Elementary

FIRST LEGO League

Introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

Elementary and middle-school students get to:

•    Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology
•    Apply real-world math and science concepts
•    Research challenges facing today’s scientists
•    Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills
•    Participate in tournaments and celebrations

What FLL teams accomplish is nothing short of amazing. It’s fun. It’s exciting. And the skills they learn will last a lifetime.